CA: Protection order for KOJC ‘null and void

MANILA, Philippines —  The temporary protection order (TPO) granted by a Davao City court to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) has been nullified by the Court of Appeals.

The CA’s 22nd Division based in Cagayan de Oro City, in a five-page resolution dated Sept. 3, declared null and void the TPO issued by the Davao Regional Trial Court Branch 15 last Aug. 27.

The appellate court finds that the Davao RTC “has acted without authority in taking cognizance of the amparo case. It follows that the issuance of the TPO has no basis.”

The Davao court issued the TPO after at least 2,000 police officers raided the KOJC compound to serve warrants of arrest against its lead evangelist Apollo Quiboloy and his four co-accused.

The CA noted that the handling of Quiboloy’s case by a Davao court “could cause local biases and a strong possibility that witnesses cannot freely testify due to fear and influence of the accused.”

CA also noted that the Supreme Court has ordered the transfer of the criminal cases of Quiboloy from Davao City to Quezon City as the high court “found compelling reasons to justify the transfer of venue as the cases involve public interest with the accused… being influential in the area.”

CA further stated the amparo case is “closely intertwined” with the cases filed against KOJC’s leader “considering that what is at stake is the implementation of the warrants of arrest” against him and the four co-accused.

KOJC lead counsel Israelito Torreon said they will file a motion for reconsideration on the CA ruling as the individual members of the KOJC, its officers and the students of Jose Maria College are not covered by the SC’s transfer of venue order.

Police officials believe Quiboloy and his co-accused, who are wanted for child abuse and qualified human trafficking, are hiding in an underground bunker in the 30-hectare compound.

Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo welcomed the CA’s decision as it proves the PNP’s operation at the KOJC compound was right from the very beginning.

Fajardo also maintained KOJC members were the ones who put up barricades in the compound and not the police.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec)